17 HMR Splitting Nearly Every Case

[Rsadams]

I have seen 17 split necks in the ammo boxes...

 

[Kittitas George]

A follow up to my 4/7 comment. There were 5 of us, 2 Coopers, 2 CZs and 1 Anschutes 17HMR rifles. We were all splitting cases. The Coopers fewer than the others. I tried to check my fired brass, I didn't do very well, but, the percentage was very low. All of it was Federal and maybe 5 or 6 years old or older. I don't think the neck splits qualified as an alibi for misses. I'll try to shoot and check some other brands of ammo at the range.

 

[searcher]

I took the pic below and sent it to Hornady Tech, along with the lot number of the loaded ammo.

Their response was something like, we don't anneal the shoulders on the 17 HMR loaded ammo, and after it gets to be a few years old, cracks are to be expected.

For ammo to start splitting and cracking shoulders and necks on ammo that is only a few years old is BS UNLESS the ammo was stored in poor conditions, particularly subjected to moisture and /or humidity. When the bullets start to fuse to the brass - the pressure levels build quickly before the bullet finally lets go of the case. Properly stored HMR ammo will last many years and shoot the same as it did when the lot was first used years before. A lot of people greatly underestimate what a subtle amount of corrosion can do - as well as the effect of a carbon ring. Combine the two and one has the makings of a nice little bomb.

 

[jepp2]

ammo was stored in poor conditions, particularly subjected to moisture and /or humidity.

ammo was stored in ideal conditions. Dry Colorado basement, typically around 60 degrees F. Didn't say I agreed with their assessment, just saying what they told me.

If it was afflicted with the issues you describe it wouldn't group under 0.75" at 100m like it does.

 

[searcher]

ammo was stored in ideal conditions. Dry Colorado basement, typically around 60 degrees F. Didn't say I agreed with their assessment, just saying what they told me.

If it was afflicted with the issues you describe it wouldn't group under 0.75" at 100m like it does.

Yes - I was agreeing with you - not contradicting. That said - over-pressure ammo can still shoot very tiny groups.

 

[z2013]

Went through some of my older Hornady 17 ammo.
[around 05} Found several with split necks already. Do I just pull the bullets and trash the rest? These were stored in basement that is finished.

 

[HankB585]

Just had a case rupture in a Browning T-Bolt. Split synthetic stock, magazine holder and trigger guard. Hairline cracks found in unfired brass. Waiting on batch details of Winchester ammo. Hell of a fright but no injury.

 

[OLeveraction]

I am off both of the 17 rimfires right now.
Bullets slipping in the case, squibs, split cases and sticky bolts in 17HMR and 17wsm.
Can't shoot if I have to worry about every cartridge going to the chamber.
That's not even talking about accuracy.

 

[searcher]

Yep hand load's for the .17hmr are the go!! lol what's his name Arthur Langsford!

Hey - I have a bunch of once-fired brass I'll give a good deal on.

 

[ebb]

Hank is Winchester going to replace that rifle or are they blaming you and Browning ????